On Wednesday, we stood on stage at the Junior Achievement Stockholm regional competition. When they announced pluggklar UF as the winner of Innovation of the Year, it felt unreal. We had worked towards this for months, but actually hearing it out loud, in front of everyone, was something else.
Innovation of the Year and what it means to us
Innovation of the Year is awarded to the student company that presents the most innovative solution to a real problem. For us, plue comes down to a simple idea: every upper-secondary student should be able to study more effectively with AI, in Swedish, adapted to Swedish syllabuses and grading criteria.
The judges highlighted that we had built a product used by real students, not just a competition concept. That meant so much to hear, because it is exactly what we have worked for: creating something that makes a real difference.
More good news that evening
Alongside Innovation of the Year, we also advanced in the category Service of the Year, where we are competing for the best service-based business idea among Stockholm's Junior Achievement companies. We also took second place in Brand of the Year, which we are proud of given how much time we have spent building a brand that students recognise and trust.
How we got here
plue began as a Junior Achievement project but quickly became more than that. We have built an AI platform with flashcards, quizzes and summaries, all adapted to Swedish upper-secondary education. We have tested, iterated and listened to our users at every step.
Getting here has meant late nights, countless business-plan rewrites, coding between lessons and a team that does not give up. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us: teachers, advisers, friends and all the students who have given us feedback.
Next stop: the national finals
Next comes the Junior Achievement Sweden national championship, where the best student companies from across Sweden meet. We will prepare carefully, keep developing the product and give it everything we have. Whatever happens at the finals, this journey has already given us more than we could have imagined.
Thank you to everyone following our journey. See you at the finals!
Try the idea for yourself
plue helps you study more effectively with AI-generated flashcards, quizzes and summaries, all adapted to upper-secondary school.
Try plue for free